imagine if theatre was founded in 2015 to instigate real change in people’s lives through theatre and is run by founding Artistic Director, Francesca Joy. imagine if has a strong track record of working in prisons nationally with their main focus being across Yorkshire. Over the last 5 years, they have worked in 26 prisons across the UK and USA, engaged with over 4,000 prisoners and continue to support prisoners when they are released into the community.

Francesca Joy is a critically acclaimed writer, whose plays You Forgot the Mince and Jadek have been described as “really powerful, truthful and authentic” and “almost too intimate to bare”. Through her working-class roots, exposure to the care system and abuse on her doorstep, Chesca uses her first-hand experience to inform the excellent scripts she creates and the theatre work imagine if delivers worldwide.

“I believe Francesca to be one of the most interesting and exciting writers of her generation” Simon Nelson, BBC Development Producer

Francesca is writing a new script for a short film, which will be released in Autumn/Winter 2021. There will be opportunities for people who have experience of prison to gain paid roles as actors and crew for the film, which will be shown to prisoners whilst they are still serving their sentences. As part of the script development, imagine if are looking to involve people who have lived experience of being in prison. Like all of imagine if’s work, we want to make sure that the film is relatable, relevant and truthful. Your involvement in one of our research workshops will help us to achieve this.

Francesca Joy and imagine if’s Community Director, Tamsin Cook, are running an online, 1-hour workshop. There are limited spaces available, so book now to avoid disappointment. Please note that you must have access to Zoom to take part.

The workshop will be:

- fun and aimed at getting your creative juices flowing

- a chance to have your voice listened to about your experience of the Criminal Justice System

So whether you have been released from prison recently or years ago, we want to invite you to take an hour out to talk and think creatively about your experiences of prison life and resettlement.

Find out more about imagine if on their website

Ain't Nuff Time - Research Workshop: Lived Experience